Essay Fantasy World Concept -The Clash Between The Brightest Light and Darkness Dark (RISING SUN)

[Apollo]

RISING SUN: The Clash Between The Brightest Light and Darkness​

(Original project)​

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The Zenin Empire and the Thenziro Clan​

The Thenziro Clan is a renegade gang known as the dominating ninjas of the Chūgoku region. They battle on the front lines, maintaining their own castle and city; the castle is situated at the top of a mountain, while the city lies on the path leading up to it.
The Thenziro Clan possesses both a mountaintop fortress and a city, known as Thenziro City, located east of the central Chūgoku (Deadland) region. Formerly a traditional ninja clan, they have transitioned into an automated power, becoming the most formidable ninja force in the region. They face several enemies who constantly battle one another, such as the Zenin Empire. The clan plays a central role in this world, serving as a symbol of both the power and the chaos that can arise when individuals break free from the constraints of society.

The Castle and City​

• Mountaintop Castle: The Thenziro Clan's castle is located atop a towering mountain, providing a strategic advantage and serving as a symbol of their strength. The castle is heavily fortified and guarded, making it a formidable stronghold.
• City on the Path: Thenziro City is situated on the path leading to the castle. This strategic location allows the clan to control access to their mountaintop fortress and collect taxes from travelers and merchants.

Geography and Surroundings​

To the north of the clan lies a Dark Forest. This mysterious and dangerous place is home to various known and unknown creatures and is said to be haunted by ancient spirits. To the east is the Ainu Forest, populated by natives who maintain relations with the renegades. Due to this connection, they utilize a mixed style: tribal deadly weapons combined with stealth techniques learned from the Thenziro Clan. They have formed an alliance, sharing knowledge and skills. To the west, they fight against the Zenin Empire.
The leader of the clan is Tenzen, of the Thenziro family. Tenzen is responsible for ruling the base in the Chūgoku region—an area notorious for kidnapping, drug dealing, and murder. It is a land filled with monsters, unknown creature dens, legends, and demons.

Life in the Chūgoku Region​

Traveling by sea is strictly avoided unless there is no other option, due to the living monster Akkorokamui and its offspring. These creatures are powerful and unpredictable, posing a serious threat to anyone venturing into the ocean. Consequently, the Thenziro Clan and other groups prefer land routes.

Thenziro City​

For the most part, Thenziro City is plagued by deep-seated corruption, including crimes involving high-ranking officials, cases of exploitation, sexual violence, and slavery. However, Tenzen was never involved in these activities; in fact, he dismantled many of these criminal networks himself. As a high-level Ki graduate, veteran warrior, and an individual with extreme agility and perception, his contributions to cleaning up the streets are legendary.
Tenzen is the son of the city’s creator, Thenziro Tsumi, a potent Ki practitioner. His father killed Garen the human warrior and funded the city using his connections with the Zenin Empire, nobles, and merchants. Even members of the Emperor’s Council joined the rising clan that dominates the new city.
Thenziro City is a complex and fabulous place. While the rich dominate Ki and the new era of science, the middle class is heavily involved in Ki fighting and sword training. Even more impressive is the fact that the poor are involved in serving the clan by recruiting new soldiers and ninjas. There are several types of rising personalities, from mages to Ki fighters and healers. However, thanks to the criminal underworld, many thieves and rogues are forged in the heart of where legends are born.

Thornark the Mutant​

Thornark is a mutant human whose genetics were permanently altered during a mysterious and traumatic event in his past. Having fallen into a spider lair, he was injected with spider eggs and poisonous liquids. Rather than dying, his body adapted to the toxins and the inner radiation emitted by the eight-legged monsters. This transformation left him with pale, leather-like skin and black eyes, leading some to compare him to a vampire or an orc king.
Thornark is the primary figure in the city's drug trafficking underworld, moving large quantities of meth and weed. He maintains a giant web of destruction by connecting with high-ranking officials and bribing gate guards to move his merchandise at night. He often disguises himself as a poor janitor carrying cleaning supplies to houses, allowing him to move unnoticed while the population remains unaware of the scale of the trade. This drug epidemic is destroying the city's health and, in this era, is even polluting the genetic pool, as the substances trigger further mutations among the addicted population.

Father and Son: The History of the Clan​

Fifty years ago, the individual responsible for the rise of the Thenziro Clan was Thenziro III. At that time, the clan was a private group of ninjas who decided to rebel against the Zenin Empire. Back then, the Chūgoku region was a bloodbath, even worse than it is now. Most people were subjected to slavery, replaced inside the empire's city walls, or forced into low-paid labor on government farms. The "lucky" ones were sent to government schools and public universities that brainwashed native folks into working for the empire.
Noare Nanasaki, the Emperor, was assassinated by Thenziro on the third moon of November. Thenziro invaded a noble ship by tracking its path and torturing local guards for information. Surviving nobles said the situation was so chaotic that the Emperor's body was never found. This provided the perfect opportunity for the Thenziro Clan to rise during a period of unstable leadership. By launching an attack with sword masters and Ki veterans on the city's main resources, they achieved total success.
The Zenin Empire's hold on the region weakened, leading to a peasant rebellion a few months later that resulted in the expulsion of Zenin samurais and commanders. City nobles then rose to power, hiring mercenaries for defense and creating the first city in Japan commanded by the noble class. It became a liberal place focused on economics and trade.
Fifty years later, the city is a superpower of finance, stock markets, and universities, filled with merchants and military campaigns. Much of this success is due to its leader, a foreigner from London, Ricard Nonfestus. A pale-skinned, lanky man, he established the initial investments in the city. Even at 130 years old, he still looks young—an impressive, perhaps even unnatural, feat.
Thenziro took control of the region and formed an alliance with the rising city nobles. Most Zenin soldiers were taken captive or killed. Thenziro made a public speech stating his goal: to destroy the Zenin Empire and kill its roots among the nobles, merchants, and commanders. While some see the Zenin Empire as a necessary order for the country, Thenziro shook the entire nation by killing its leader. The resulting instability forced the Zenin Empire to leave the region for a time, making Chūgoku the only region free from their monopoly.

Tenzen’s Legacy​

Tenzen remembers a moment from when he was six years old. He watched from a window as his father arrived home on horseback, flanked by guards.
"Dad!" he smiled, running out of his room to meet him.
Thenziro reached his old marble house—a former vampire lair, perfect for hiding—and tapped Tenzen on the head. "Son, we need to talk about your future as the new leader of a city."
Tenzen opened his mouth wide as he looked up at his father’s towering figure. "But I am only six!"
His father shook his head and sat on the floor to match his son's height. "That does not matter. You must understand how important you are for our clan and family. The Zenin Empire made our ancestors slaves and sex slaves for the elite's pleasure; you must understand the consequences of your actions."
Thenziro rose and started heading toward his bedroom. "We will talk with you later—me and my wife."
Tenzen, remembering this moment now, sits on his throne, reflecting on why he rules this city and clan.

The Slum Region: "Forsaken Gods"​

In the old slum region stands a blood-bathed tavern known as "Forsaken Gods." It is a hub for the poor to trade their goods and engage in a new era of investing and money-making. Within the tavern, farmers created groups known as "Investment Clubs" or "Book Clubs." Each of these clubs was a private venue for members to trade knowledge or secrets. As everyone knows, the guards and nobles do not want the poor to rise, but some smart folk have developed these clubs into a shortcut to success.
Trooper is an old farmer in the slum region, which is the poorest area. To change areas, a citizen must be issued a new ID card according to their class level. The slums are considered Level 1—the region outside the gates. Although it is still protected by a few roaming guards, there is a constant risk of wild animal attacks. To stay safe, the farmers equip themselves with swords and spear fences.
The soil here is good for farming various plants and vegetables. The city elite once owned this land, but Tenzen allowed a portion of it to pass to the slum farmers, ensuring they earn enough to avoid starvation and perhaps even save a few gold coins. In this environment, the most important aspect of "class evolving" is knowing the cheating methods and corrupt ways to earn a place in the next class. Trooper is a member of one such investment club, which is filled with teenagers eager for knowledge and old farmers seeking to ascend from their current level.
"What terrible weather," Trooper sighs. "I can't believe we managed to grow enough food for this winter."
Trooper has tired, baggy eyes and a wrinkled face, yet he possesses handsome eyes and a defined jaw. Somehow, this skinny old man has managed to remain tall and well-cared for all these years in the slums; few knew his specific methods of success.
"Indeed," Trooper continues. "This time, I will travel to the Zenin Empire's main city. I heard they lack pork meat due to the keeper's new vegetarian policy."
Zinard raises an eyebrow, taking a sip of watery beer and looking at him with suspicion. "Really? How on earth are you going to pass the guards, sir? You know it ain't possible to do that, yeah?"
He laughs, and the other farmers join in, pausing their investment debates to enjoy the joke. Trooper gives a soft, patient sigh as he looks at them.
"You fools. There are several ways of selling meat. I don't need to enter the city; I can sell to local thugs. It's a matter of tracking multiple routes. You should all know about this by now."
The bartender, Feric, looks at Trooper with anger. "Yeah, keep your mouth shut about that! I don't want more guards coming here to beat you."
I look at them as I drink from my mug. "Calm down, Feric. Trooper just got a little carried away; that’s why he’s spilling our secrets." I stand up and walk toward Trooper with my hands raised, smiling. "It’s nice to be able to enjoy this weather," I say in a mocking tone as I look toward the door.
BOOM! A massive bolt of thunder hits the plantation outside, making everyone tremble and fall to the floor.
"BY GAREN, WHAT ON EARTH WAS THAT?"
The kids scream and scramble around; some laugh while others struggle to stand up after a few seconds. Trooper finishes his beer and rolls his eyes. "Well, at least we are able to enjoy our time here without water leaks."
A farmer nods as he sits next to Trooper. "It was very expensive to fix this bar's roof, but we did it. So it’s okay."

The Elite Farm​

The elite farms produce cabbage, potatoes, and a vast amount of rice, with a nearby pool providing a slightly off-putting smell. On the small territory of the elite level, they produce a unique, rich fruit filled with white chocolate and mana energy. It is a sweet-tasting fruit that replenishes the aura of Ki practitioners. It is an extremely expensive fruit that can only be produced in a few small areas, the slum region being one of them. Paradoxically, the slum region, despite being the poorest, has the highest potential—possessing rich soil that, if it were blessed with more water and fewer beasts in the nearby forest, could be the best region in the city.
The elite area is a long, square farm surrounded by stone walls. A couple of archers are placed on two watchtowers. While there are two guards stationed outside, there are many more inside. Most of them are the lowest-ranking officials of their families—sons of middle-class business owners who sell their lives to richer clans. The job is poorly paid and simple; the guards spend most of their time playing cards, sleeping, or even bringing girls from the brothels when the commander is asleep. No one dares to invade these farms because no one wants to make an enemy of the elite clans.
Notar, of the Fuji Clan, is the person in command of the farms and nearby villages. He looks at the guards playing cards and gives a soft sigh before ignoring them and entering the gate. "Fools," he mumbles. "There are only dumb and weak guards here. I guess they suit the purpose for now."
Walking and mumbling, he enters the fruit storage room to check the quality and verify the official ledger for any missing fruits. Finding none, he smiles softly. "At least they don't steal. There is hope after all; I guess they aren't so bad."
Before he can finish placing the fruits back into their wooden boxes, a large noise followed by a scream echoes from the gates. He quickly places his hand on his sword and storms out of the storage house. Every guard is dead—stabbed or decapitated. It is a horrible sight.
As heavy, large steps approach the gate, followed by a predator's roar, Notar’s skin turns pale. He almost falls to the ground, exhausted by the chaotic events he has witnessed. He quickly retreats back into the storage house, locking the door tight before desperately trying to force open the locked window.

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The Writer and the Leader​

As the thunder hits the cabbage field followed by the heavy rain, a private meeting takes place between the writer and Tenzen.
"How many words did I write? How much time did I waste doing something bad?" Juniro's voice cracks as he screams. "When will I be able to enjoy the success of winning something in my life? Never! Never! Why is that, sir? Why can't I have a nice life? What is so hard about that, huh? Tell me!"
Shouting with all the strength in his lungs, Juniro falls to the ground. In a fit of pure rage, he slams his feet onto the concrete floor and looks up at Tenzen. His face is drenched with tears; his eyes are saggy from crying, and his mouth hangs wide open as he gasps for oxygen after talking so loud for so long.
Tenzen scratches his head as he looks down at the writer yapping on the ground. "You still have to write about my family story and my legacy—3,000 pages detailing everything."
Tenzen walks over to the writer and places a firm hand on his shoulder, looking directly into his tear-filled face. "It is necessary for my family's power that everything be written with perfection, so the new generation understands everything that has happened until now. Dear Juniro, you won't be wasted. Your time will be rewarded like never before: 1,000 gold coins, if you proceed."
He walks to the throne room window and looks down at the slum region before speaking again. "Look at this amazing city. My father built it from ground zero; it took 30 years to do it. And now, you will write every detail about this place. You must understand what is at stake here right now. The Zenin Empire has a monopoly on the books and history of this country. I will battle them with my clan's profound knowledge. That is where you come in. You are the most precious writer in the seven kingdoms. In those bloody European countries of yours, what is necessary is that you do your duty and I do mine."
Raising his weak legs, the writer stands up and looks around the room. Tenzen continues, "Nobody should leave here. Like I said, it is not time to talk about distractions."
After a long pause, Tenzen sits back in his golden seat upholstered in comfortable red skin. Rain hits the throne room’s two large Roman windows as weak moonlight invades the room. The dusty air mixes with the watery climate, creating small trails of water in the corners of the room. The throne room is illuminated by the moon, with large white curtains hanging on either side of the throne. The cold air fills the space, yet it remains comfortable thanks to the chimney burning in the middle of the room.